Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-19
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A Great Newspapers Opinion Of a
Great Show.

There is no longer any reason TO
doubt that Adam Forepaugh stands
at the head and front of arenic amuse-
ment managers in this country il not
in the world. That fact was demon
strated yesterday, when the worst
weather that has been seen in De-
troit this year failed to knock Fore
paugh out, although the battle lasted
from noon until night set In. II is a
rare sight 10 see such vast crowd as
that which gathered on the streets as
early as eight o'clock, when the pa
raGe formed in line at the show
grounds aud marched down town.
The streets in the business portion OF
the city were literally lined with peo-
pie gathered to witness the gorgeous
spectacular OF retinue of brave knights
aud ladies fair, mounted OH pranciug
steeds gayly cOmparisoned, aud scores
of huge wagons, decked with glitter
ing trappings, the whole presenting
pageant, which for magnillcence has
never before been equaled in Detroit.
Forepaugh has done many things in
the past in the way Of tented attrac-
tons, so much so that he has educa-
ted the public to degree of fastid-
iousness in exhibitions of this charac-
ter that is disastrous to the ordinary
circus. However, it was not until
yesterday that Detroiters were made
aware of the INNOVATIONS the solid
Philadelphian is capable of.
The crush in the vicinity of the
City Hall was something terrible
while the parade was passing that
point, the sidewalks and streets being
mass of admiring humans, ranging
from the graybeard TO the wee tod
dler, to say nothing of the babes in
arms. ..t I.s.
AS the parade started back towards
the lot the crowd followed, and as
soon as the ropes at the main entrance
TO the big tent were removed there
was rush of ticket holders for ad-
mission. The seating capacity of the
immense tent was soon tested TO its
fullest limit, and before the perform
ances in the rings and platform open
ed, late corners were obliged to con-
tent themselves with leaning against
the ropes inclosing the hlppodrome
track. Under the inspirations of such
an enormous crowd, which included
a full thousand newsboys, the most
exciting of critics, sent there at the
expense OF the Journal, the perform
ers fairly outdid their previous feats
From the opening pageant to the sig
nal announcing the closing of the
triple performances the interest was
unilagging. The Wild West exhibit
ton, the reproduction of the battle OF
Little Big Horn and all the details OF
the massacre Of the gallant Custer
were shown with graphic accuracy
that evoked the cheers aud huzzas ct
the appreciative audience. The herd
of performing elephants, the horse
Blondin, which walks narrow
plank in mid air, were more surpris-
ing and pleasing than had been con-
jectured by the multitude, and receiy-
ed hearty and unstinted praise, as did
the aggregation of gymnasts, equcs-
trians, acrobats, aerial performers
and the other famous specialists.
AT the afternoon performance, how
ever, the climax was reached. The
tent was packed as sardines are pack
ed in a can. There was not vacant
seat and thousands stood around the
ring and at the entrance. Hardly
had the performance begun when q
drilling rain set in, followed by q
down-pour that threatened to sub